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The veteran manager has accepted he won't have the chance to add to his squad in the final few days of the transfer window, leaving him remain hopeful that the club match his ambitions this summer about funding the transfers he believes will lead to a promotion bid.

Cardiff City's Rhys Healey in action against Reading

But, having tasted a second narrow defeat away to a team at the top-end of the division in a matter of days, Warnock said: “We've just got to persevere with what we've got. I can't see a lot changing, we're honest lads but there's not enough goals. We got in good positions but the reactions weren't quite there.

“We know what we need to make that difference – it's just going to be frustrating biting my tongue answering the same questions about the side for the next 18 games.

“I can't see us doing much because I'm not going to spend money on players that aren't better than what we've got, so I might as well try and limp over the line. We don't need much, we need three or four quality players now. We have genuine players, they're all honest, no-one passed the buck today, they all worked hard and gave their all, but there's just not enough quality in certain areas.

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“So until the summer the club's got to keep powder dry and look at what's available then because the league is wide open to get promotion.

“I wish I'd been here in the summer. It's not for me to criticise but they have spent a lot of money – and now I'm asking them to spend a bit more. It's easy for me to say because it's not my money.

Reading players celebrate

“The fans are really behind me, and I think the owners are – we just have to find a way to get those three, four, five players to supplement what is a very hard working side with a good spine. We need another leader up top, but at the moment it's just a matter of me being frustrated after games like this and wishing we were a couple of months down the line.”

Yann Kermorgant's second-half free-kick was the difference between the two sides after a Joe Ralls penalty cancelled out John Swift's opener, Cardiff unable to get anything from a push for a winner as they matched up to the third-placed Royals.

But Warnock is said he'd be happier playing rubbish and getting points after the second defeat in a week, warning the threat of the drop isn't over yet.

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Cardiff City goalkeeper Allan McGregor is beaten by the free kick from Yann Kermorgant of Reading

He said: “We put a lot in and again lost to a goal that shouldn't have been. It's frustrating. We've got another three or four tough games and I hope don't have to come in again and say how well we played but lost, I'd rather play rubbish for a few weeks and get some wins under our belts.

“This was a great lesson how far we've come, we're nearer than I thought. But first things first, we have to stop ourselves from being relegated.

“I can't remember other than first goal a shot that caused us any problems. We had more of the chances, especially in the second-half when we stepped up a gear. We are where we are because we can't win games, because we can't score goals when we're on top. The sooner we get to 50 points the better.”